ABOUT
“Movement translates life - I am constantly striving to explore the differing ways in which our bodies can communicate stories and the human condition. As a multi-disciplinary artist (Photographer, Movement Director, Filmmaker and Contemporary Dancer), I am constantly discovering the power of movement through varying artistic lenses. I often involve myself in works that use both dance and theatre, where movement and character glides and melds together to create a truthful and powerful presentation of humanity.”
Maya is a freelance Photographer, Videographer Dancer, Movement Director and Filmmaker, whose focus throughout all her practices is on the sensitive nature, power and allure of movement.
Born in London, of Polish and Armenian heritage, Maya trained on the BA Contemporary Dance degree at Trinity Laban (2015 - 2018), thereafter she went on to train with the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company program (2019). Having always had a focus on narrative and character in her dance work, Maya went on to obtain an MA Movement: Directing and Teaching at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (2021-2022) where she developed her understanding of directing, narrative and actor training. Maya’s final research project at Central was on finding the synergy between dance, photography, movement direction and film. This research has lead Maya to work with collaborators from Sadler’s Wells, Siobhan Davies Studios, Jean Abreu Dance, Soumik Datta and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
Since 2023, Maya has been the lead Movement Tutor for Actor Movement for BA1 and BA2 actors, at the Performance Preparation Academy,
(Surrey).
Maya’s short film Sometimes They Sing is the winner of Best Short Film at Manchester Lift-Off International Film Festival 2022, with Official Selection
for 6 international film festivals 2021-2022 and, Best Film Score at International
Sound and Music Festival 2022.
Photo. Self-portrait by Maya Yoncali